Cherai is a popular tourist destination that lies in the Pallipuram Panchayat at the northern end of the Vypeen Island. In the ancient time the picturesque village of Cherai was a part of Travancore and Kochi state until the state got merged into other states. The landscapes of Cherai are as old as 700 years and feature a rich cultural heritage. The place is sprinkled with large number of monuments which stand as the testimonials of the India’s history. This part of the land has been ruled Dutch, Portuguese and British dynasties. The hexagonal fort commissioned by the Portuguese in 1503 is visited by a large number of rulers and is one of the oldest European Monuments of India. On the lake side a theological school called “Vyikotta Seminary” by the Portuguese which was later converted into a Leprosy Centre by the Dutch.
The Printing Press built in 1577 in the school is famed as the first printing press of Kerala state. In 1661 the Portuguese rulers were defeated by the Dutch rulers as a result of which Seminary along with the press came under Chendamangalam.
The Cherai village is also popular among tourists not only for its picturesque Cherai Beach. The place is now slowly gaining recognition as a potential village tourism destination. A major highlight of the beach side village is the presence of the prawn farming resorts in every corner. The fact that the Cherai village is strategically located and bounded by the Vembanad Kayal backwater on one side and Arabian sea on the other side makes it’s an ideal tourist destination for a memorable vacation. While being in the Cherai Village admire the beauty of coconut trees swaying in the winds and the magnificent scenic beauty works in making Cherai one of the most visit village tourism destinations in Kerala.
